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A review by bethfishreads
The Critic by Peter May
2.5
This second in the Enzo Macleod series is set in the Gaillac wine country of France.
In this outing, Enzo is trying to solve the murder of an American wine critic. The cold case takes on new life when the body is discovered about year after the critic disappeared. The mystery includes additional murders and several red herrings.
Enzo works with local authorities as well as his young (female) assistant, one of his daughters and her new boyfriend, another young woman, and a woman closer to his own age. His other daughter also makes an appearance. If you're wondering about all the women in Enzo's life, well, I am too. I can't say that I like Enzo nor can I say I liked the high degree of objectification of women in this book. There were parts of the novel that didn't make much sense to me (I'm not sure a winemaker would do some of the things that were done ) and I don't know why an animal had to be harmed.
On the good side, the novel is filled with wine-making details, which we learn along with Enzo as he visits various vineyards and talks to winemakers. I also liked the way May sets us up for the next book in the series.
Note: I absolutely loved May's Lewis trilogy and was over-the-moon thrilled to see that a fourth book will be released in the fall. I've also read a couple of May's standalone novels and loved them too. The Enzo books just aren't for me, and I'm going to drop the series.
Narrator Peter Forbes, though, is always a pleasure. He has narrated almost all of May's books, and his performances are excellent. He knows how to set the action and delivers on the emotions too. He is not the reason I'm quitting the Enzo books.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for the review copy.
In this outing, Enzo is trying to solve the murder of an American wine critic. The cold case takes on new life when the body is discovered about year after the critic disappeared. The mystery includes additional murders and several red herrings.
Enzo works with local authorities as well as his young (female) assistant, one of his daughters and her new boyfriend, another young woman, and a woman closer to his own age. His other daughter also makes an appearance. If you're wondering about all the women in Enzo's life, well, I am too. I can't say that I like Enzo nor can I say I liked the high degree of objectification of women in this book. There were parts of the novel that didn't make much sense to me (
On the good side, the novel is filled with wine-making details, which we learn along with Enzo as he visits various vineyards and talks to winemakers. I also liked the way May sets us up for the next book in the series.
Note: I absolutely loved May's Lewis trilogy and was over-the-moon thrilled to see that a fourth book will be released in the fall. I've also read a couple of May's standalone novels and loved them too. The Enzo books just aren't for me, and I'm going to drop the series.
Narrator Peter Forbes, though, is always a pleasure. He has narrated almost all of May's books, and his performances are excellent. He knows how to set the action and delivers on the emotions too. He is not the reason I'm quitting the Enzo books.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for the review copy.